Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds, the transmission slipped out of the intended gear. The contact stated that after depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine would rev before the transmission would jolt into gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Electronic Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle began to experience a harsh shift while the vehicle began to reduce in speed. The contact stated that a burning odor was present. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the automatic transaxle failed and the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
I was driving on city streets when the car violently jerked and speeded up. I was in fear of being in an accident and feared for my safety. I immediately took action to repair this car that was in mint condition to this point. The 2003 rav 4 module and transmission failed at 83559 miles, which is low mileage for a Toyota. Toyota motor corp lost a class action law suit, and agreed to be responsible for replacement of transmission and module replacement of the 2001 to 2003 model year rav's 4 that failed within 150,000 mile usage or 10 year use. My car had only 83,559 miles at the time of failure due to the faulty original module that caused this transmission problem. In November 2006 Toyota issued a technical bulletin # 1046 with reference to 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission: u14of, u241e. Subject:2-3 blind up/harsh 2-3 po755, burnt (c2, clutch, harsh rev. …
We were on a family vacation on labor day weekend, when we merged on the freeway and my Toyota rav 4 would not shift over. We almost were hit by oncoming cars from the freeway. I swerved to avoid a crash and crashed into the ditch. I checked on line to get Toyota phone number when I noticed there was a recall and extended warranty on this part on Toyota rav 4 2001 2002 and 2003. I purchased the car in oct 2010 from dealership carmax, they told me they were not aware of the problem. If I was aware I would have taken it to get it fixed. This is a safety issue with this problem. I might have lost my family and myself. I contacted Toyota, they stated to me they had contacted you guys and it's not under a safety issue on these cars, it was a problematic issues. My question to you is somebody has to die first to be considered safety? …
Long story short, bought the car "as is" from a Toyota dealership in October 2017, did not know of the transmission/ECM problem until November 2017 (yes that fast). Got a diagnostic test, the code said the transmission needed to be replaced. We are now in January 2018, I got the transmission replaced for 2,714 right? Okay, today January 16th 2018, I picked up my car, drove it around, brought it right back within 45 minutes. My car was still doing a hard shift. I got in the car with the mechanic to drive up the highway, he felt the shift immediately and informed me he was the one that put the part in. Okay, at this point we had to leave because all the managers were in a meeting. I get a call around 3:30 pm saying that the ECM is not a problem and they quoted me a price! I just spent 5,000 so far buying the car and 2,700 dollars to fix the car. …
I was driving my 2003 Toyota RAV4 and attempted to merge into another lane when I experienced a very hard shift from the transmission causing the vehicle to stall with a reving engine noise and avoided being rear ended by a truck. I purchased my RAV4 brand new in 2003 to accomodate my disability needs and only have 82,000 miles.I checked with my mechanic today and he looked up the Toyota recall on these RAV4 transmission failures and not once did Toyota inform me about the recall. How is disabled individual on fixed income to afford $3000.00 for a transmission on a well maintained Toyota with only 82,000 miles. I wish Toyota would show some empathy to accommodate an individual whose sole purpose of a brand new RAV4 would fulfill his daily physical challenges in life and now left with a Toyota with 82,000 miles in need of a transmission. …
I was at a stop sign no gas, turned down hill in snow car accelerated going straight into downed tree. My vehicle is not on the recall list and has had sticking accelerator, rear end clunking noise and power steering has made it where I am afraid to drive vehicle. My service animal hit the windshield that shattered when vehicle accelerated and had to slam on brakes at another time. I've had other near misses and two left of center tickets with power steering issues. I have taken into Toyota for steering and check engine light and they will not even write service ticket. They filled power steering fluid said no problem. They keep resetting check engine light stating its gas cap. This car is a lemon, transmission problems, electrical system, computer. This is the first new vehicle I ever bought and wish I would have stuck with used.
Experiencing abnormal behavior when shifting gears (auto trans). Transmission was shifting oddly - harsh shift condition . It was not a frequent problem and no engine light and I took it to the local mechanic and he connected to his computer and could not find any error codes. The problem happens every time I move from a stop. Found out that Toyota put out a technical service bulletin in early 2006 after defects started surfacing stating to replace the car's computer ECM/ECU and possibly the transmission.. The company did not inform owners about this defect which is now surfacing and did not recall due to cost of replacing the ECU and transmission it destroys. The defective ECU burns up the clutch and other parts in the transmission
My vehicle began to "buck" and then shortly thereafter the check engine light came on. I initially took it to the closest mechanic and was told I needed a new transmission and that they couldn't replace it. Told them to take it to krause Toyota. Was then told by krause it needed a new ECM but they were too busy and couldn't look at the vehicle for 2 weeks since I wasn't a "regular" customer. I then took the car to bennett Toyota - class outfit. They replaced the ECM immediately - which wasn't cheap. Cost me $1200. I have since heard that there was a recall on the ECM on my year RAV4 which I wasn't ever notified of. I feel Toyota should pick up this tab. I have low mileage for a 2003 car, and have always maintained it properly.
My 2003 rav 4 starting shifting gears erratically, starting in 3rd intead of 1st gear, very sluggish to get moving after stopping. Toyota issued a warning regarding a faulty ECM in this model and extended the warranty to 10 years/150000miles. Unfortuantetly my car is 13 years old and 95,000 miles and Toyota would not fix. On the way to the dealership to have this fixed my car was turning left into 2 lanes of traffic and stalled and would not go into gear, a car nearly t-boned me but he was able to swerve into another lane. I could have been killed because of this problem. Toyota needs to take responsibility for this issue and correct all cars on the road today.
Transmission complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 209 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Toyota RAV4, 66% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (106 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Toyota RAV4. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.